2022 Sharon's Reserve Viognier
Tasting Notes:
"100-point Viognier!" (That's our nickname for Sharon's Reserve Viognier from Lodi.) Why? We don't care what any critic says! This is our go-to, #1, all-time favorite, summertime pool party white. OMG. Did you taste it yet? We just finished a second bottle. Smell that honeysuckle, citrus-kissed peach, and apricot-creamy lime and orange blossom goodness. Remember that time you aced all your finals? This is the wine you would have crushed (had you been 21 or older). So, crush on! 100 points!
Appellation Notes: Lodi AVA
Let’s be honest; it’s hot in Lodi. You need to be poolside with something cold in hand most of the year. About 90 miles east of the San Francisco Bay, Lodi does enjoy cooling influences from the nearby Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and white grape varieties thrive in these cool pockets. The grapes are fine with the breezes, but you’d still want a fan. Established in 1986, this expansive AVA is one of the largest in the state, boasting over 100,000 acres of planted grapes and over 100 different varieties! It is essentially the flood plain and basin of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which means its soils are sandy and loamy. The most notable grape is Zinfandel, showcasing Lodi's signature bold fruit flavors and spicy character. But it’s also a region known for producing tropical-flavored Chardonnay, fresh, aromatic, fruity, smooth Viognier, bold, ripe, sweet-scented Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and rustic Barbera wines.